Barangay Palao

Barangay Palao forms part of Libungan, a municipality in Cotabato, and is classified as a mid-sized barangay.

According to the 2020 Philippine census, Barangay Palao had a population of 2,119. This made it the 12th largest of 20 barangays in Libungan by population, placing it in the middle tier of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Palao accounted for approximately 3.77% of the total population of Libungan, which stood at 56,269 in the same census year.

The barangay recorded 1,552 residents in the 2015 intercensal count and 2,119 residents in the 2020 Census — a net change of +36.5%, consistent with a growing settlement. Barangay Palao is officially classified as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Libungan is a municipality comprising 20 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Palao, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Cotabato, which contains 543 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Palao ranks 218th by 2020 population. Cotabato is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, a category that reflects the province's annual regular income.

Like every Philippine barangay, Barangay Palao is led by an elected Punong Barangay (barangay captain) supported by seven Sangguniang Barangay members (kagawads), an SK Chairperson, a Barangay Secretary, and a Barangay Treasurer. The next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) are scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026, with officials serving four-year terms under Republic Act No. 12232.